"Magnificent… no, this isn't heaven… this feels like Golok itself!"
Vipul's voice slipped out on its own, filled with awe and disbelief as his eyes locked onto the breathtaking sight in front of him. For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
Before him, a massive waterfall thundered down the rugged cliffs of the Aravalli hills, its silver stream slicing through the darkness of the night. As the water crashed below, it gathered into a small, crystal-clear pond that shimmered under the soft glow of the newly risen moon. The falling water sparkled like it was lit from within—as if someone had hidden countless glowing lights inside it.
All around the pond, creatures of every kind had gathered. Some bent down to drink the cool water, some played and splashed inside it, while others simply sat in silence, as if lost in a deep, peaceful trance.
Tiny glowing insects hovered near the surrounding trees, flickering in different colors like living fairy lights, turning the entire place into something unreal… something divine.
It wasn't just a view—it was an experience. A place that could calm even the most restless soul. Anyone who stood there would feel like they had stepped into another world… a world untouched by chaos.
Vipul stood there, completely absorbed, letting the peace sink into him—when suddenly, a voice broke through the silence.
"Do you still think the great figures of history chose the forests for the wrong reasons? Feels peaceful, doesn't it? Far better than being trapped between tall buildings and suffocating crowds… isn't it?"
Still lost in the beauty of the place, Vipul nodded without even thinking.
But then, the voice came again—this time, sharper.
"You need to go near the waterfall. That's where Kakbhushundi will meet you."
That snapped Vipul back to reality.
His body stiffened.
Slowly… very slowly… he lowered his gaze toward the ground—toward the direction the voice had come from.
And the moment his eyes landed there—
He froze.
Standing right near his feet… was a small black crow.
It was staring straight at him.
Not like an animal… but like something far more aware.
Its sharp eyes didn't blink.
They studied him.
Judged him.
And for a brief second… Vipul felt like the one being observed… not the other way around.
"How are you feeling now?"
The sudden voice echoed inside the hospital room.
Maya, who had been lying on her bed, casually scrolling through videos on her phone, flinched and looked up instantly.
Her eyes widened.
Standing in front of her… was Om.
Dressed in his patient clothes.
Alive. Standing. Walking.
For a second, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Boss… what are you doing here? You should be resting! And how are you even standing already?" Maya asked, her voice filled with concern and disbelief.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Om's uncles were speaking with the doctors.
One of the doctors, clearly amazed, said,
"Dr. Vijay, your nephew is nothing short of a miracle. When I first heard about a doctor using lost ancient techniques to heal people, I thought it was nonsense… someone delusional. But then I saw his work—those inventions, those treatments… things that even modern science struggles to explain."
He paused, shaking his head in disbelief.
"But what I saw today… that goes beyond anything I've ever witnessed. This morning, he couldn't even stand. And now? Not only is he walking with the help of his own herbal formulations… he's recovering at an unnatural speed."
The doctor let out a soft breath.
"Your nephew is rising like a savior in the medical world… just like Oppenheimer and Einstein did in theirs. Honestly, I can't even imagine what kind of revolution he'll bring in the future."
Hearing this, both Vijay and Manoj couldn't hide the pride swelling inside them.
Vijay smiled and said,
"Dr. Dubey… to be honest, even I don't fully understand where Om's mind is headed. But one thing I know for sure—my son will create a name of his own."
The three men shared a quiet smile.
Inside the room, Om slowly walked forward, using a support stand, his steps steady but controlled.
"Please… stay seated. You don't need to get up, Maya," he said calmly.
Maya adjusted herself on the bed.
But then—
Om's next words hit her like a shockwave.
"Or… should I call you 003?"
Her face went pale.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She stared at him, stunned.
"Om… I… I… I…" she stammered, panic creeping into her voice.
But Om didn't react.
Instead, he calmly extended a small bottle of powdered medicine toward her.
"It's okay. Take this first," he said gently. "I'm sure you had your reasons for not telling me the truth about your past."
Maya lowered her head, guilt and shame washing over her.
Om's expression turned serious.
"I'm not going to force you to leave… and I'm not going to force you to tell me the truth either," he continued. "But if you want to stay with us, I need to be sure of one thing…"
He paused.
"That you're not a threat to my family. And that you don't carry any ill intentions toward them."
Silence filled the room.
"As for your truth…" Om added, his voice softer now, "you can tell me when you feel ready."
With that, he turned and began to walk away.
Maya sat there, her fists clenched, her heart heavy with conflict.
Then suddenly, she spoke—her voice low, but firm.
"Boss… you're a good man. But this world hides a lot of darkness beneath its surface. And people like you… people who are different… they don't get easy lives."
Om stopped.
He turned slightly, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"If life were easy… it wouldn't be life at all."
And with that, he walked out.
Maya could only watch him leave… her mind spinning, her emotions tangled in something she couldn't explain.
Back in the Aravalli hills, Vipul still stood frozen.
His eyes locked onto the small black crow near his feet.
Swallowing his fear, he spoke slowly,
"Sir… you…"
But he couldn't finish.
Instead, instinctively, he bowed his head in respect.
The crow tilted its head… and then—
It spoke.
"Yes, human. I am Kagraj… a follower of the great Kakbhushundi."
Vipul's breath caught in his throat.
"I believe we should move quickly," the crow continued. "Kakbhushundi has been waiting for you… for a very long time."
The air around them suddenly felt heavier.
More mysterious.
More alive.
Without another word, Vipul began walking—following the crow toward the glowing waterfall.
Step by step…
Closer to the unknown.
Closer to a truth… that was waiting just for him.